Salty Attraction denies Up 'n Blumin's three-peat bid

Salty Attraction ($11.80) rallied from a close up last in the opening quarter-mile to score her biggest career win in the $25,625 Al Swihart Memorial Stakes on Saturday's closing-day card at Fonner Park.

Salty Attraction, with leading rider Dennis Collins aboard, moved to challenge pacesetting G G's Dolly and two-time defending race champion Up 'n Blumin through the far turn, took over into the lane, and drew off by an impressive 10 lengths to collect her first stakes victory. She covered the 6 1/2 furlongs over a sealed muddy track in 1:20.80. It was her second win of the season for trainer Mike Kirby and boosted her career bankroll to more than $70,000 with a mark of 5-5-3 from 18 starts.

Collins earned his first riding title at the track with 63 wins from 286 mounts. Tanner Riggs, who shifted his tack to Canterbury Park this week, was second with 44 wins, and defending champion R. D. Williams was third with 42.

David Anderson captured his ninth Fonner training title by a 27-21 margin over Jason Wise.